‘Abisoye Was Dropped Over Alleged Mismanagement’ — Surulere APM Stakeholders React

Stakeholders and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, in Surulere Local Government Area have denied allegations by Hon. Ezekiel Abisoye, former Head of Political Administration, Surulere North LCDA, that Hon. Ojo Sunday Makanjuola, member representing Surulere/Ogo-Oluwa Federal Constituency, single-handedly replaced his name as the party’s consensus chairmanship candidate.

It is, however, important to clarify that Hon. Ezekiel Abisoye remains the current serving Assistant Secretary in Surulere Local Government, notwithstanding his previous position as Head of Political Administration of Surulere North LCDA

Abisoye, in a statement made available to MOUTHPIECE NGR, had raised concerns over the consensus process.
He alleged that Makanjuola, who is also the APM candidate for House of Representatives, went behind the stakeholders’ resolution to handpick a candidate for the chairmanship seat.

“After the extensive meeting of August 2, where I was endorsed by the majority of party leaders, it is unfortunate that Hon. Ojo Sunday Makanjuola, who was part of the leaders that endorsed me and who also canvassed for the seat to be conceded to the Okajue dynasty, went through the backdoor to impose one of his followers who has contributed nothing to the development of the party,” Abisoye said.

“How do we trust any of his promises? How do you intend to be the candidate of a party and also be the chairmanship candidate for both Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere by proxy? Where is the fair treatment for other political groups? Are we going into political slavery? Bamboo ni nse ise, ejo ni nje eran — how do you intend to compensate the efforts of other political actors?” he asked.

He further questioned how the party could expect a resounding victory “in a local government that has been won through teamwork, if one faction takes it all.”
However, reacting to the allegation on Thursday, leaders and stakeholders of the party told MOUTHPIECE NGR that at no point did Hon. Makanjuola imposes any chairmanship candidate.

According to them, the decision was made in the collective interest of all stakeholders, following the outright rejection of Abisoye’s nomination by the Olugbon of Igbon, His Royal Majesty, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, and other stakeholders over allegations of mismanagement of funds and the sale of LCDA properties during his tenure as Secretary of Surulere North LCDA.

“The stakeholders noted that all the properties of the LCDA were sold. That was part of the reason the Olugbon and other leaders kicked against his nomination as Surulere Council Chairman,” a stakeholder said.
Other stakeholders further explained that under the consensus arrangement, Barr. Olusunkanmi Olaleye nominated Abisoye as chairmanship candidate, while Hon. Makanjuola was asked to nominate the Secretary of the Local Government.

“It was when the allegations were presented to the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, that stakeholders, unanimously agreed to replace the name with another bonafide member of the party. That is how Dr. Alao Gbolahan emerged as the party’s consensus chairmanship candidate,” they added.
It will be recalled that Dr. Alao Gbolahan’s name was presented by the APM leadership on the 8th of August, following his emergence in the presence of the APM Local Government Chairman, Hon. Adeeyo Okesanjo, and other stakeholders and leaders of the party.